What is Sola Christo?
In Latin, Solo Christo means “Christ alone”. This is important when understanding our salvation, the Person, and the Work of Christ.
As sinners, we cannot pay the penalty needed for our sins. We can do nothing to work to pay this debt we owe God. Our sins render us guilty before a holy and righteous God. Righteousness is what God requires.
Christ paid that debt.
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the truly righteous one. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” I John 2:1 NLT
Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty of sin for us and lived in perfect obedience. It is Christ’s righteousness that justifies us.
“Christ alone is Lord and Savior, and therefore he alone is able to save, and his work is all-sufficient” (Wellum, 2017)
A bit of history…..
In the 16th century, Solo Christo emerged during the Protestant Reformation. While the Church believed in Christ as Savior for salvation, they also thought that in order for people to receive grace through the Church. Through the Church, people could receive the sacraments: baptism, the Eucharist, and penance. Through the acts of the sacrament, one can receive the grace necessary for salvation. These requirements left people without a genuine assurance of their salvation.
What does it mean for us today?
It’s important to preach the gospel to ourselves often. Solo Christo is part of the gospel that reminds us that our salvation is nothing we have or can receive on our merit. Through the unchanging truth, salvation is a gift freely given, not earned. A gift of grace and mercy found in Christ alone.
References
Christ Alone The Uniqueness of Jesus as Savior What the Reformers Taught……and Why It Still Matters (2017) by Stephen Wellum (The 5 Solas Series)
Sola How the Five Solas are Still Reforming the Church (2019). Jason K. Allen Gen Editor Contributors Wilson. J., Duesing, J., Barrett, M,. Strachan, O.
